26th August Class

Hi everyone good to be back updating you guys about what happened on last wednesday's class (need to change the label soon)

We were taught 3 moves that day, we'll start with Rasteira or also called Banda


a tip for this move is to put more weight on the back leg so that you have more force when pulling your capoeira partner down.

Next we have Tesoura which is a take down move, can be used to counter the Rasteira and a lot of other moves such as meia lua compasso in this video.


The idea is to use your hips instead of solely relying on leg strength to put your partner down.

Last move is well...a movement called Giro which means spin ( not the one where you use to pay your fees, bills and stuff)
The one we learnt in class was similar to Aliph's move in this video at the 0.06 mark. We use it to move out of a kick during the class session.


Reminder that when doing this move as well as any other capoeira movements, your eyes
should stay lock on to your partner.

Well that's all for this little update, hope you guys keep practising and check out some of our older videos of Aliph and sequences to revise.

As in Roda, as in Life
Ken

Keep that Axe in the Ring!

Hi guys,

Our senior Pek may (or may not) have mentioned some protocols "do-s & don't-s" when in the Roda (ring). Basically these protocols are there to keep the capoeiristas as away from harm as well as keeping the Axe inside the game.

Right, so that brings me to Axe... no not the tool used to cut down trees. "Axe" (pronounced Ah~Shey) could be described as being similar to "energy" or "chi" or "chakra" or "lifeforce". Its that rush you get from scoring a goal or performing on the stage. We welcome Axe and its always great to have in our game within the circle. Having and keeping the Axe high will ensure a enjoyable game of capoeira. So without further adieu...

DOs

• Keep the Roda looking like a ring. Close up the gap left behind by a player after having entered the ring. Axe "leaks" out from these gaps.
• Sing with gusto and confidence. It spurs the players inside the ring and it also allows you to improve your vocals.
• Get involved in the Roda. It's intimidating at first, but just like your first date or first day in school, it gets easier after each game.
• Be aware of you're surroundings in and out of the Roda. This is to prevent wild & straying kicks from hitting someone not involved in the game.
• Pay-de-berimbau: which means to kick-off your joga from the berimbau. Its a sign of respect/permission the player gets from the berimbau player (who is usually the most senior present)
• Make the Roda exciting. Cheer for a well-placed kick or an awesome backflip, it feeds the Axe in the roda!
  
• Make friends in and out of the roda. It isn't everyday that you can find a bunch of people sharing the same unique interest with you.

Don'ts

• Fold arms in the Roda.
• Expand the roda bigger and bigger.
• Engage in personal conversations. A stray kick from the players inside the roda may just hit you because of your lack of attention.
• Don't exit the roda with your back to the opponent. As long as you are within the roda, you are within the game.
• Compra (buy) into the game without first capturing the attention of the capoeiristas that are already playing. Once again a stray kick may just hit you because the players weren't aware of you.
• Be shy to play. "Capoeira - where we play to learn & learn to play"
  

Axe!
Bryan

A Great First Welcome Tea!

Hi guys,

I'll keep it short and sweet =) The Welcome Tea was fun, exciting, exhausting and welcoming. Summing it up: it was great! Let's hope we'll be feeling more love & more Axe next Welcome Tea when there's gonna be even more students interested to learn the ways of Capoeira!

"Callo Boca Me nino
nie~nie~nie
Me nino Coro
nie~nie~nie"

Axe!
Morcego

09/10 YEAR - SEM 1 NUS CAPOEIRA WELCOME TEA

Hi everyone both new and old!

We want YOU to come down this coming Wednesday (12th August 2009), 7pm at MPSH 4 for the Welcome Tea. For the new students this will be a great time to learn and be acquainted with the Capoeira movements, music, history and culture. And for the older students this will be a good time to loosen those joints and start stretching those muscles again.

So we hope to see all of you there this wednesday, refreshments will be provided. Just come dressed in workout attire (tshirt, tanktop, shorts etc...) and don't be afraid to sweat it out! Bring your friends too!

AXE!
Ian Leong

NEW SEMESTER! NEW THINGS!

Hello everyone!

This post is for current NUS capoeiristas and also NUS students who are keen in joining this coming semester.

Right now training dates are still unconfirmed, we are pestering and waiting on the Sports Club to give us a confirmation. Once that is done, we will inform all of you. In addtion, our WELCOME TEA will be held within the first 2 weeks of the semester to welcome everyone. So everybody please sit tight.

While we wait here is just a very quick brief about us:

OUR GROUP
The NUS Capoeira sub-club is a sub-branch of Capoeira Zambiacongo Singapore that serves the NUS student body. Capoeira Zambiacongo Singapore is the Singapore branch of Capoeira Zambiacongo which is based in Australia with our master, Mestre Luizinho Barravento and his father Mestre Geni who runs the group back in Brazil.

Our Singapore branch HQ is located in FIGHT-G in Clarke Quay which is a fighting gym that teaches other classes such as mixed-martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our current instructor, Professor Jaguar, is from Brazil and is also a certified instructor and practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He teaches in Fight-G, NUS and also our Capoeira Zambiacongo counterpart in SMU.

WHAT TO EXPECT
There will be various elements in Capoeira that makes it unique, healthy and extremely fun. Is is incredibly dynamic and a great cardio element. Capoeira will train and improve your flexibility, speed, reaction, endurance and strength as well. But do not worry if you have never had any martial arts background or if you feel you are not 'fit' enough; because we will start from the basics which build the foundation, and then we will teach more advanced movements.

But be prepared to sweat it out and the most important thing for everyone in class is to TRY. Throw your fears and inhibitions out of the window and come into class to do everything to the best of your ability.

One more thing that makes Capoeira unique is that not only you learn the moves but you also learn about Brazilian culture, language, history and music. In class we always train with Capoeira music and everyone will learn to sing the songs in Portuguese and learn how to play the instruments. It is a total cultural immersion!

So we hope to see you at our Welcome Tea and for returning students, we hope that you practised a 'little' bit during your holidays!

Axe
NUS CAPOEIRA

PS: Attire for new students is any sporting attire (ie: tshirt/tank top and shorts)